Could this Siren be in a Worse Location?
This emergency siren sits a few feet from the Bidgewater Lofts in the Mill Distrcit of Minneapolis, near the corner of Washington Ave S. and 10th Ave. S. A 5 month old baby lives in the condo directly to the left of the one pictured below.
WARNING - the siren is really loud, be prepared for it at the start of the video below.
Same siren the following month.
The Bridgewater is not the only building affected, as you can see below.
The first video has had a large number of views, and comments. The consensus is it needs to be moved. Here's a sampling of the comments on YouTube:
"The siren really needs to be moved. I couldn't stand living right next to it like that."
"Is the rotator broken? If so, feel lucky. If the horn rotated, or broke when pointing at you, it would be even louder. I agree the placement is very bad, they should have mounted it higher."
"It sounds like you have a pretty good attitude about it being there despite the fact that it was placed so poorly. Good luck with getting it moved to a better spot. They're important devices so have but this is a good example of a poor installation plot."
"I'm just glad they finally disabled the rotator on it so it won't point back around at you guys! There used to be a much smaller building there when the siren was installed, so I can see why it is where it is, but I agree that they should've moved it when that complex was built. On a side note, it is neat to see one from that point of view!"
"Ah, just let it rotate! If the neighbors don't like it, they can just move!
Seriously though, that city really needs to move that siren. The people a mile away that are on the back side of it won't be able to hear it very well during a tornado warning, because it doesn't rotate."
"Not to be rude but thats not the Loudest Siren in the World. out door sirens are loud up close because the sound travels 200 Feet. the siren is a Federal Signal 2001-SRNB.
Nice video though!
I do agree with you about the sirens location. They should put it on the stadiums property."
"geez i bet 500 ppl are upset"
We contacted the office of City Council member Lisa Goodman 3 weeks ago for help on who to speak to regarding moving the siren. We are still waiting for a response.
David Tinjum
I heard from City Council Member Lisa Goodman this morning. Her office is still working on this, we should know more soon. We'll keep you informed throughout the process as we try to get this thing moved.
David Tinjum
Ruth from City Council Member Lisa Goodmans' office called this morning with good news - the siren has been deactivated! The City is searching for a new location, and I've been put in touch with the person in charge - stay tuned for more as it becomes available.
Wish I could say it was the result of this story, but the truth is far less dramatic. The truth is heartening as well - all it took was one phone call to City Council Member Lisa Goodmans' office and some behind the scenes work by Ruth. Our immediate neighborhood is now just a little bit better place to live, and I've had a positive first experience working with the City of Minneapolis. Thank you Ruth and Council Member Goodman.
BTW - to be fair to the City of Minneapolis, they did not put the siren next to residential buildings, the siren has been at this location for many years. The buildings actually went up near the siren.
